Who are these guys and what did they do with the defense that you knew and -- um -- loved?

The Red Raider defense is ranked as the nation's No. 1 defense for a second week in a row less than a year removed from being one of the worst defenses in the country.

It's unlikely Texas Tech will retain the title as the nation's best defense through the grueling Big 12 gauntlet it is about to face, but this defense clearly is a dramatic improvement and should allow the team to hang tough against five straight currently ranked opponents.

"It's great to talk about those stats," head coach Tommy Tuberville said during the Monday media luncheon press conference. "I mean, I think they're good for people to compare and all that. And I've gotten a few texts from some of my friends. But we know better than that. We all know better than that."